Michael Pape, PLA: Have you ever wondered who plans and lays out the roadways, neighborhoods, town centers, recreation centers and parks, or who designs all the beautiful pedestrian spaces and landscaping that grace The Villages? For the past 35 years, our newest board member, Michael Pape and his organization, Michael Pape and Associates, has had a primary role in big picture planning, designing and creating the exterior environment that delights residents of The Villages. Throughout his 44 years as a landscape architect, land planner and arbor culturist, Michael has focused on the spirit and creativity that goes into designing places that are an essential part of the community where people come together to live, work, play, and enjoy each other and their lifestyle.
Along with his wife, Trish—also a landscape architect who specializes in land planning– Michael’s focus has ranged from site planning and landscape design to “hardscape” design; that is, the man-made elements such as pedestrian paths, plazas, walls, signage, and water features which are an integral element of landscape architecture. Other projects in which their company has been involved include the planning and design of the UF Health The Villages® Regional Hospital campus, UF Health The Villages® Freestanding ER, the Sharon Morse Celebration Brick Garden, planning the areas around the future UF Health Medical City south of the turnpike, and recently, the construction of the Foundation’s new thrift store, Ye Olde Thrift Shoppe.
Michael and Trish recently began a transition into retirement, and have transferred their interest in Michael Pape and Associates; however, the firm will continue to have a strong presence in the planning and design of The Villages. They love the outdoors and enjoy hiking, cycling, or sailing and their greatest new joy is their first grandchild, Edie Claire Rodgers, born on Valentine’s Day!”
Dr. Angel Tafur: Dr Tafur specializes in Family Medicine in The Villages and is affiliated with UF Health The Villages® Hospital and UF Health Leesburg Hospital. He believes in implementing a full continuum of care for his patients including rounding on them when they are in the hospital, rehabilitation, nursing home, assisted living, or memory care facilities. He also serves as the President of the Florida Medical Directors Association (FMDA) with headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Having grown up in Peru, South America, Dr. Tafur speaks fluent Spanish. He graduated from Federico Villarreal University of Medicine in Lima, Peru. After that, Dr. Tafur became a “Saluki”, which is the mascot of Southern Illinois University where he participated in the Family Practice Residency Program. During his tenure at Southern Illinois, he learned to speak fluent English.
When asked what attracted him to the Auxiliary Foundation board of directors, Dr. Tafur said, “I would love to be involved in ways to help promote the hospital throughout our community.” Being a devoted husband and father, he was inspired by the “family” atmosphere shared by the board, staff, donors and community partners. What also impressed him was the level of trust and transparency he has seen within the organization.
Dr. Tafur and his wife, Lauren, who is his nurse practitioner, have three children, Vanessa, Connor and Andrea and a cat named Moza. In his free time, Dr. Tafur enjoys kayaking, surfing, and bicycling with his family.